A faction of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in Rivers State loyal to Governor Siminalai Hubala has warned the state police command against taking sides in the ongoing crisis rocking the party.
Naija News reports that the faction has removed embattled faction chairman Aaron Chukwuemeka from the party despite a Rivers State High Court ruling invalidating the parliament that installed his executive. He was accused of illegally occupying the secretariat.
The PDP state secretariat on Aba Street remains barricaded by police after both factions attempted to occupy the building.
According to reports, Mr. Chukwuemeka held a press conference inside his secretariat on Tuesday under heavy police protection while Mr. Robinson Uho, the acting state chairman loyal to Governor Hubala, addressed the media elsewhere. .
Mr. Uho argued that Mr. Chukwuemeka was no longer the party chairman in the state, citing the judgment of Justice Stephen Jumbo of the Rivers State High Court, which removed Mr. Chukwuemeka and his executives.
He described Chukwuemeka as a fraudster and said, “The attention of the Peoples Democratic Party Rivers State chapter has been drawn to a press conference hosted by Mr. Aaron Chukwuemeka, a fraudster claiming to be the PDP leader in the state.” Ta.
Mr. Uho further warned Mr. Chukwuemeka and his group to respect the court’s judgment and not to occupy the secretariat or attempt to legitimize the party leadership.
In contrast, Chukwuemeka maintains that he was duly elected, pointing to a Federal High Court ruling by Justice Peter Riff that vindicated the parliament that installed him as president. said.
He described the state High Court’s decision as “kangaroo and unenforceable” and vowed to appeal.
Mr Uho expressed concern about the role of the police, accusing them of patronizing the Chukwuemeka faction despite the court ruling.
He said, “It is disturbing that the state police authorities are providing shelter to such illegal so-called PDP cadres to carry out illegal activities despite the court judgment being made public knowledge. I pointed this out with disappointment.”
He appealed to law enforcement agencies, including the Inspector General of Police and the Rivers State Police Commissioner, to remain apolitical and operate within the ambit of the law.
Yuho called on party members and supporters to remain calm and avoid provocations from what he described as desperate “political merchants” seeking to cause unrest.
“We appeal to our members to remain calm and refrain from provoking those who wish to incite violence against innocent law-abiding residents of Rivers State,” he said.
As the crisis deepens, both factions appear to have taken a firm stance, with the PDP secretariat continuing to be a source of conflict.
